Book 1 Chapter 421

"The Book of Shadows?!"

"There was such a thing?"

The first day of the summit.

After the meeting ended and the content was organized and announced, the students showed surprised expressions.

The topic that garnered the most heated interest was the Book of Shadows.

In the dormitory cafeteria, amidst everyone's surprise, Chloe asked Chen Xia beside her.

"Xia, did you happen to know?"

"Yes."

As Chen Xia replied with her characteristic smile, Iliana exclaimed.

"Why didn't you say anything! It's an amazing discovery! Besides, if they had known that Shadows could also be registered in the Hero Records, those thoughtless people wouldn't have ignored or scorned you!"

Iliana showed an excited reaction.

Students from Glory Dormitory or those who were in the same class as Chen Xia in their first year treated her without prejudice even after her identity as a Shadow became known.

Chen Xia herself, after shedding her worries about her identity with Leo's help, decided not to dwell on being a hero or a shadow and to forge her own path.

However, as long as she was the princess of Shan, there were bound to be students who looked at her with colored glasses.

Heroes are those who have achieved great deeds worthy of divine recognition.

But no matter how great a hero, as long as they are human, they cannot be perfect beings.

Some have made grave mistakes, and some, unlike their great deeds, lack noble character.

There have even been heroes who committed acts deserving of condemnation.

But because they received divine recognition, people quickly forget those facts.

However, Shadows, not having received divine recognition, were held to stricter standards than heroes.

Even so, there were no students in their second year who openly scorned Chen Xia.

Celia from the Knights' Department, to which she belonged, and even Duran, who had the strongest pride, considered Chen Xia a rival.

Chloe, Chelsea, and Abad from the Magic Department, who were at the top, are close friends with Chen Xia.

In the Summoning Department, Eliza is one of the few who acknowledges Chen Xia's skill.

Warden is not the type of person to care about such things anyway.

Crucially, she is close friends with Leo, the student council president.

No one in Lumen would be foolish enough to antagonize the top students of their year and complicate their school life.

However, it was not possible to change the subtle gazes.

Chen Xia had simply not intervened because she let those gazes be.

Chloe and Iliana, her fellow dorm mates, knew this well.

Seeing Iliana clench her fists as if resentful, Chloe let out a small sigh.

"As it is a secret of Shan, Xia couldn't easily talk about it. Besides, even if the existence of the Book of Shadows becomes known, it won't change much immediately."

"Miss Chloe is right. The gazes of people are something that we Shadows ourselves must change."

"Hmph. But the Dragon Lord declared that he wouldn't stand by if there was discrimination! If anyone looks at you that way again, I'll beat them to a pulp."

"Thank you, Miss Iliana."

As Chen Xia smiled faintly.

"Um. Miss Chen Xia."

At that moment, Eiran approached hesitantly.

The second-ranked student of Seirun of the same generation.

"Yes, Miss Eiran."

"Since Miss Chen Xia is the princess of Shan, have you personally seen the Book of Shadows?"

"Of course."

"Then, did you see the records of the Hero of the Beginning?"

"Yes."

"Ah, I'm so envious!"

Eiran, who loved heroic tales, exclaimed.

"What stories were there?"

Eiran's eyes sparkled.

Following her lead, Chloe and Iliana also looked at Chen Xia with curious eyes.

Kyle, the Hero of the Beginning.

Until just a year ago, he was considered a legendary hero, a mere figment of imagination, but since evidence of his existence was revealed, he had been continuously re-evaluated.

However, since there were almost no remaining records, research on his deeds had been stagnant.

In such a situation, it was natural for interest to be drawn to him as a hero candidate, as records of Kyle were discovered.

"What are you guys talking about so interestingly?"

Chelsea, passing by with her tray, asked with a tilted head, and Chloe replied.

"About the Book of Shadows and the Hero of the Beginning."

"I'm interested in that story too!"

Chelsea's eyes sparkled, and she quickly sat down. She then said to Abad, who was with her.

"Brother, sit here!"

Laughing at her words, Abad sat next to Chelsea.

"I'm curious about what magic the Hero of the Beginning used. Is it really all-class?"

"Yes."

Seeing the bustling atmosphere, Lunia, who was eating a short distance away, rested her chin on her hand.

"Lumen truly never has a quiet day."

Lunia shook her head slightly.

At that moment, Cal, Ar, and Driana, who were sitting with her, stood up.

"Where are you going?"

"They're talking about the Hero of the Beginning! Aren't you curious?"

Ar said with sparkling eyes, and Lunia shook her head.

"Not really."

"Let this elf be. Even if she's curious, she's the type to stubbornly refuse out of pride."

"That's right. If we leave her, she'll come on her own?"

Driana and Cal chuckled and went towards Chen Xia with Ar.

"I'm really not that curious."

Lunia had a nonchalant expression.

However, every time a lively story was told, her ears perked up several times.

"Ah, really!"

After a while, unable to bear it any longer, she ran towards the noisy area.

***

"Through this summit, we plan to break down the boundaries between heroes and shadows and strengthen cooperation."

Mel's professor's office.

Melina said with a serious face.

"And we also intend to strengthen harmony between races."

The world, filled with various interests, had led to distrust between nations.

And distrust between races.

Melina wanted to mend all such discord in her generation and unite as much strength as possible.

The collapse of the Hero Records of the Great Opening was not far off.

It was no exaggeration to say that the threat of Erebus was imminent.

"Fortunately, thanks to Leo, Lady Rhodia has gained new power, so we have more time, but…"

"That's just buying time, though."

Leo said, lifting the teacup Melina offered.

"What do you think of the heroes of this era?"

Melina asked.

The heroes who were registered in the Hero Records in this era.

They would undoubtedly become the power to fight against Erebus and Tartarus in the distant future.

"They're all magnificent."

"Do you have any advice for them?"

"Well."

Leo's red eyes curved.

"No matter what anyone says, they are individuals who have achieved great deeds worthy of divine recognition and have their names in the Hero Records."

Leo took a sip of tea and put it down.

"It's ridiculous to give advice to those who are already on stage and doing their part."

"Then…"

"I am, as always, more interested in the hero candidates who will lead the next generation. That's why I've made plans for this summer break."

"Plans?"

Melina tilted her head.

Leo took out a paper from his pocket and handed it to Melina.

Upon receiving and reading it, Melina said.

"Hmm… it's a training schedule. Do you plan to do this?"

"That's right. Shall we call it a kind of retreat? We plan to do it in the Flov family's territory."

At Leo's words, Melina smiled with sympathy.

'These children are going to experience hell this summer break.'

"I want to invite the people listed there as instructors. Could you help me with that?"

"Yes. I will prepare it."

Melina nodded, tucking the schedule into her pocket, and asked.

"I have something to ask you, Leo."

"What is it?"

"How long do you intend to hide the fact that you are the reincarnation of the Hero of the Beginning?"

At that question, Leo crossed his arms and stared at the ceiling in thought.

"Do you intend to hide it forever?"

"That won't be the case. There will come a day when I have to reveal my identity myself."

Leo, lost in thought, shook his head.

"But not now. It would be better to reveal it at least when I've gained power that isn't inferior compared to my past self."

Although Leo is regaining his past power at a rapid pace and also accumulating power through the rewards of conquering the hero world, he has not yet fully regained his peak power.

"Yes."

***

The summit held in Lumen.

And the news that followed shook the world.

On the first day alone, stories about the appearance of the Hero Records and the Book of Shadows, and the final journey of great heroes previously unknown, came out.

The next day, Melina, using the Hero Records of the heroes who were active during the battle against Jormungandr that she received from Leo, continued to surprise the world.

Even amidst such astonishing events, the final exams for the first-year students continued.

And before they knew it, it was the semifinals.

"Wow, the class president's mentee… is amazing?"

Iliana clicked her tongue in admiration.

"The last place in the year made it to the top 4? And their opponent is the year's representative!"

Watching Iliana with sparkling eyes, Cal rested his chin on his hand.

"You look happy."

"Of course! Austin is in a stable position!"

Austin, Iliana's mentee and Leo's knight, achieved a stable result.

No longer worried about expulsion, Iliana from then on fully enjoyed the sparring matches of the first-year students.

"Plus, thanks to being the class president's mentee, I've hit the jackpot several times!"

Iliana's eyes sparkled as she shook her money pouch.

"I almost had my allowance cut off because I failed the written exam! Thanks to this, I don't have to worry about my allowance for the second semester!"

Watching Iliana, Eiran, who was observing from the side, exclaimed in admiration.

"That's amazing."

"Heh-! Call me Iliana, the Heart of the Beast."

"It sounds cool!"

"Don't call it cool, Miss Eiran. That's not the heart of a beast, it's the head of a beast."

Chelsea, watching Eiran clap her hands in admiration, said coldly.

"Heh. Anyway, shall I try to increase this money further? Cal, I want to buy betting tickets!"

"Yeah~ yeah~ for Luke?"

"What are you talking about? Of course, for Aina!"

"Weren't you always only for Luke until now?"

"Hmph! A true gambler doesn't gamble! It's the true professional to secure money from a sure win, even if the odds are low!"

Those words weren't expected from someone who talked about the heart of a beast.

"So, how much are you betting?"

"All of it."

Seeing Iliana's eyes gleam with greed, Cal sold her the betting ticket without hesitation.

"Please make this sister rich! Cute junior."

Iliana's eyes sparkled.

"I'll try that too."

Someone approached Cal.

It was Rhea.

Rhea, whose soul had been turned to dust after being captured by Halind, had barely recovered in a few days.

"On whom?"

"Aina Veidna, this much."

Rhea handed a wad of money to Cal.

Seeing Rhea's eyes blazing with a different emotion than greed, Cal sold her the betting ticket without a word.

'It's not my money.'

Cal put the wad of money into his subspace.

"I should start getting ready for business."

***

"Hoo."

Luke took a deep breath before entering the arena.

Leo was not there.

In fact, Leo had not visited Luke since the first match.

While that was disappointing, he also thought.

'This must be Senior's intention that I can do it on my own now.'

Thinking so, he slapped his cheek.

He calmed his trembling heart.

Throughout the first semester.

The person he could only watch from afar, the person he could only think of as amazing, was waiting.

'How well can I do?'

Although the other students he had faced so far were also sufficiently amazing.

The current opponent was on a different level.

Literally the strongest of the first-year students.

Anxiety crept in, and his chest pounded.

But soon, he took a deep breath and moved his steps.

'Let's go, Luke.'

He shook off his anxiety.

'I'll test the results of my training against the strongest of the first-year students.'